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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GERONIMO FLORES, age 30, of Abilene, Texas, was sentenced on August 18, 2022 to serve 54 months imprisonment, to be followed by three-years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently. He is also obligated to pay a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee for each count. FLORES was found guilty as charged of two felony offenses after a three-day federal jury trial. The jury found  FLORES guilty of domestic violence by strangulation and suffocation in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(8) and 7(8) and interstate domestic violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2261(a)(1), 2261(b) (5), and 7(8).

FLORES intentionally assaulted his intimate and dating partner while aboard the Carnival Glory cruise ship on December 2, 2021. The Glory was within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States during a voyage that departed from and returned to the Port of New Orleans. During  trial, the victim testified that  FLORES became physically violent with her after an argument in their cabin aboard the Glory. The argument  culminated in  FLORES striking her in the head and strangling her using  a choke hold. Three of the Glory crew’s security members testified regarding her  injuries.  The Glory’s medical officer, that  examined the victim, testified that in her  expert opinion,  the victim’s bruising, swelling, and other symptoms were consistent with the described attack.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. He also gave special thanks for the assistance provided by agents and staff with the Department of Homeland Security during the trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles D. Strauss and Christopher D. Usher II prosecuted the case.

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